Animal Advocates News, Wildlife Rehabilitation in Los Angeles, California. Animal Advocates rescues ill, injured and orphaned wildlife for release back to the wild. We rescue coyotes, bobcats, foxes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, squirrels .... and bats. Mary Cummins is a reporter with Animal Advocates News.
AB 1322, Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates, anticoagulant, poison, rat poison, Pesticides: second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide: diphacinone, California, Los Angeles, wildlife, p22, death, dead, dying, mountain lion, puma, cougar
Dear Chair Portantino and Committee Members,
I'm Mary Cummins President of Animal Advocates. I almost died from accidental exposure to anti-coagulant bait in 2003 in San Buenaventura, California during a California Department of Fish & Wildlife cleanup. I strongly support the California Ecosystems Protection Act of 2023 (AB 1322) that protects California wildlife and communities against harmful rodenticides.
Anticoagulant rodenticides are poisoning California wildlife and have been documented in at least 38 nontarget species including the critically endangered San Joaquin kit fox and California condor. The problem is so severe that over 70% of wildlife tested in California are exposed to rodenticides. National Park Service researchers have documented the presence of anticoagulant rodenticides in 39 out of 40 mountain lions tested in the Santa Monica Mountains, which are already threatened with local extinction from habitat fragmentation and lack of wildlife connectivity. In September 2022, the four unborn kittens of a pregnant mountain lion named P-54 also tested positive for anticoagulant rodenticides.
AB 1322 is desperately needed to extend the existing moratorium on dangerous second generation anticoagulant rodenticides and strengthen future restrictions on anticoagulant rodenticides, including the first generation anticoagulant diphacinone, to better protect wildlife, children, and pets.
mary cummins, animal advocates, wildlife crossing, wallis annenberg wildlife crossing, docent tour, hike, los angeles, california, animaladvocates.us, marycummins.com, nwf,cougar conservancy, national wildlife federation
We attended the Cougar Conservancy, National Wildlife Federation NWF docent hike tour of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing. There was no hike and no tour or view of the crossing. We stood on a dirt road near the loud freeway while the docent just read from a paper for 30 minutes. What she read was on the website. Wasted drive and carbon foot print. Everyone was upset at the end of the event when we asked when do we see the crossing. We were told just drive on the freeway. Everyone drove on the freeway to get there so what was the point. People complained online and probably in the survey they sent out.
wallis annenberg wildlife crossing, wallis annenberg, wildlife crossing, los angeles, california, mary cummins, animal advocates, @animaladvocatesusa, @marycummins, agoura hills, hike, walk
After a disappointing docent hiking tour by the National Wildlife Federation and Cougar Conservancy of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing event I decided to find a hike to actually see the wildlife crossing. You can hike from only the south side. Ignore the north route I drew above. The south has a cleared hiking trail all the time. The north side has no view point at all. I hiked it personally and you can't see the crossing from that side because of a ridge. You can see it by walking on the side of the freeway on the north side but that's illegal.
South side hike is 1,300 feet up a hill on a cleared hiking trail. GPS start 34.136984400411855, -118.72892708553738 GPS end 34.13617430519416, -118.73339603254912 . You park on the road which is 27571 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills, California 91301. There are signs there showing you the hike. There are two great view sites just 100 ft up the trail. It's called Abrams Trailhead on the map. No need to go to the top. Unfortunately you can only see the two side retaining walls and the top of the middle platform from the south side.
wallis annenberg wildlife crossing, wallis annenberg, wildlife crossing, los angeles, california, mary cummins, animal advocates, @animaladvocatesusa, @marycummins, agoura hills, hike, walk
Below are pics I took August 29, 2023 of the south and north sides of the 101 looking at the crossing.
SOUTH SIDE
NORTH SIDE
The culverts are the ones used by P22 and other mountain lions to cross the freeways. Bring sun protection, water, wear tall boots, long pants, long shirt so you don't have to worry as much about ticks and brush. No sandals, open toed shoes or shorts. Don't walk on the freeway because it's illegal. Here are live cams so you can see current temperature, clearing.
p22, necropsy, report, mary cummins,animal advocates, los angeles, california, fish and wildlife,fish & wildlife, mountain lion, puma,cougar,euthanasia, animaladvocates.us
P22 mountain lion necropsy report final and full.This is the result of a state information act I made immediately after P22 was euthanized. There are a lot more documents I'm downloading now so check back. There are also a lot of trail cam and security cam videos. Below is one of P22 washing his face.
Here's another video of P22 with a raccoon. Video is not gross though he probably killed and ate it later.
Mountain Lion from the LA area, P-22. Age estimated around 12 years old. Free-ranging but was losing body condition, changing behavior. Immobilized in the field by CDFW and brought to LA Zoo for diagnostics. Then brought to Safari Park for further evaluation. CT and various other diagnostic testing
revealed diaphragmatic hernia with herniated liver parenchyma and omentum. Renal insufficiency also suspected, along with possible myocardial disease.
Diffuse ectoparasitism with Demodex gatoi also identified. Euthanasia was pursued at the decision of CDFW, and was performed with IV pentobarbital.
After euthanasia, testicles were removed for gamete recovery.
Death Numbers
Death Number Effective Date
0069554 17/Dec/2022
Gross Necropsy
Necropsy Date Carcass Condition Necropsy Location
17/Dec/2022 Fresh SANDIEGOZ NECROPSY LAB
Report Date
17/Dec/2022
Sex: Male Birth Date: 01/Jan/2010 +/- 1 year Age at Submission Date: 12Y,11M,16D +/- 1
Printed: 14/Mar/2023 17:05
Species360 ZIMS version 2.25.5
San Diego Zoo Safari Park Page: 2 of 4
Received is a 44 kg, adult male mountain lion (puma) in fresh postmortem and good to fair body condition with mild generalized muscle atrophy and small to
moderate fat stores. There is patchy alopecia and poor hair coat along the ventral neck, face, ears, distal tail (distal 25 cm), and distal limbs and feet. Two
black, hairless, soft, pedunculated skin nodules are present on the dorsal neck which are 2 x 1.3 x 1.2 cm and 1 x 0.9 x 0.4 cm. A 3.6 x 1.7 cm area of
alopecia caudal to the right eye also has 2 scabs. The right eye has patchy hemorrhage in the dorsal sclera and conjunctiva, and areas of redness overlying
the lateral aspect of the iris within the eye. A small scab is present on the skin over the dorsal aspect of the left eye orbit. Along the right ventral mandible is
a 2 x 0.6 cm crusted ulceration with edema and tan discoloration of the underlying subcutis. Areas of alopecia (~5 x 2 cm) are present over both hips, and
there is a 1 x 0.8 cm abrasion along the lateral metatarsal region of the right hindfoot. Multiple claws are frayed. There is a 0.5 cm diameter skin incision
along the left medial aspect of the stifle (antemortem skin biopsy). Within the right frontal sinus is a small amount of brown clotted blood. The zygomatic
process of the right frontal bone surrounding the right ocular orbit has multiple chip fractures with mild associated hemorrhage.
There is mild hemorrhage in the subcutis and muscle along the lateral aspect of the right shoulder and proximal humerus. Some hemorrhage is also present
around the left jugular venipuncture site in the neck. Fractures of the transverse process of the 7th cervical vertebra and acromion process of the right
scapula noted on CT scan are not readily identified grossly. A thin (<1 mm diameter), approximately 2.5 cm long silver metallic wire foreign body is
embedded along the internal aspect of the caudoventral abdominal midline. The reported metallic pellet in the region of the left hip on CT scan is not found.
Negative pressure is absent in the thorax on opening the abdominal cavity. The lungs are diffusely collapsed and pink. The heart is 218.9 g (0.498% of body
weight), and the mitral valve leaflets are mildly thickened and smoothly nodular. There is a 3 x 2.5 cm hole in the right ventral aspect of the diaphragm
through which a portion of omentum (approximately half) is herniated into the right thoracic cavity. The margin of this diaphragmatic tear is smooth and
rounded with no evidence of hemorrhage. An approximately 1 cm diameter dark red nodule also bulges into this tear which is adjacent to a second
approximately 5 cm diameter tear centrally in the diaphragm. This tear also has smooth edges, and through it bulges into the thoracic cavity a roughly 9 cm
diameter x 4 cm thick section of liver which is discolored and mottled shades of tan, orange and red. There are tight adhesions between the left crus of the
diaphragm and the left lateral lobe of the liver. Pleura and connective tissue is tightly adhered to and encapsulates the intrathoracic herniated portion of liver,
which appears to be a portion of the left medial lobe or papillary process of the caudate lobe. The cystic duct of the gallbladder is sigmoid in shape. The liver
is 1.4 kg (3.2% of body weight), subjectively enlarged with rounded lobe margins, and is diffusely dark tan with a moderately enhanced reticular pattern.
A perihepatic lymph node is mildly enlarged at 7 x 1.5 x 0.7 cm, and the mesenteric lymph nodes are similarly prominent. The spleen is diffusely enlarged,
dark red, and congested (presumed euthanasia artifact). The medullae of both kidneys have mild pale tan streaking to the renal crests. Numerous long
cestodes are present throughout the small intestine. In the dorsal peripheral aspect of the left thyroid gland is a soft, brown, 0.9 x 0.8 x 0.7 cystic nodule
filled with brown cloudy fluid.
crown-rump: 110 cm
subcutaneous fat amount: small
pericardial fat amount: small
abdominal fat amount: moderate
digestive system content:
stomach: full of soft digesta containing abundant fur and some fragments of bone and pieces of hay
small intestine: thick pale yellow fluid and small boluses of fur and hay with numerous long (>20 cm) cestodes
cecum: pasty brown feces containing abundant fur
large intestine: formed feces containing abundant fur
joints examined: atlanto-occipital, right shoulder, left hip, left and right stifles
Preliminary dx:
1. Euthanasia
2. Right eye: mild intra- and peri-ocular hemorrhage
3. Bone, zygomatic process of right frontal bone: multiple chip fractures
4. Right frontal sinus: mild hemorrhage
5. Subcutis and muscle, right shoulder: mild hemorrhage
6. Liver, diaphragm and thoracic cavity: chronic diaphragmatic tears (2) with intrathoracic liver and omentum herniation and entrapment
7. Liver: enhanced reticular pattern
8. Skin, multiple sites (head, neck, distal limbs, distal tail): patchy alopecia and poor hair coat with multiple abrasions, crusts and ulcerations (left and right
orbits, right ventral mandible, right foot)
9. Skin, dorsal neck: pigmented skin tags (2)
10. Kidneys: mild medullary streaking
11. Small intestine: cestodiasis, moderate
12. Left thyroid gland: focal cyst
13. Abdominal body wall: foreign body (metallic wire)
14. Good to fair body condition
Histopathology
Histopathology Report
Histologic dx:
1. Bone, right orbit (zygomatic process of frontal bone): subacute to chronic comminuted fracture with hemorrhage, necrosis, and fibrosis
2. Skin, whole body: 1) mild to moderate epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis with mild multifocal lymphocytic mural folliculitis and perifollicular
dermatitis, follicular atrophy and loss, and myriad intrafollicular mites (demodicosis, Demodex sp.) and dermatophyte hyphae and spores (dermatophytosis);
2) minimal multifocal granulomatous dermatitis with intralesional fungal elements (pseudomycetoma)
3. Skin and subcutis, right mandible: focally extensive, chronic, ulceration and draining tract with granulation tissue, pyogranulomatous dermatitis and
panniculitis, furunculosis, and intralesional hair shafts
4. Skin, dorsal neck: polyp with multiple cystic follicles
5. Stomach, pylorus: moderate, subacute, regional, neutrophilic and lymphohistiocytic gastritis with glandular microabscesses and intraglandular spiral
bacteria (consistent with Helicobacter sp.)
6. Liver, herniated region: chronic passive congestion with centrilobular atrophy, perivenous and portal fibrosis, focally extensive lipidosis, and capsular
mesothelial hypertrophy
7. Liver: acute diffuse centrilobular congestion, lipogranulomas, and mild Ito cell hyperplasia
9. Heart, left atrioventricular valve: mild myxomatous degeneration (endocardiosis)
10. Arteries and arterioles, heart and kidney: mild multifocal arteriosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis with medial hypertrophy, subintimal fibrosis and
amphophilic hyaline material deposition
11. Kidney: mild multifocal proliferative glomerulonephritis with glomerulosclerosis, periglomerular fibrosis, hypertrophy of Bowman's capsule epithelium,
and minimal multifocal lymphoplasmacytic interstitial nephritis
15. Tonsil and lymph node (left axillary): minimal multifocal granulomatous tonsillitis and lymphadenitis with intralesional fungal elements
16. Lymph node, mesenteric: minimal to mild multifocal pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis
17. Small intestine: luminal cestodes, numerous
ADDENDUM DATED 2023/01/19:
Ancillary test and results:
CAHFS Accession #D2217781 Toxicology results: FINAL
Dx:
Exposure to multiple anticoagulant rodenticides
Exposure to bromethalin
Anticoagulants Screen - Quantitated, Liver
Analyte Result (ppb) Rep. Limit (ppb)
Brodifacoum, 96, 50
Bromadiolone, 530, 50
Chlorophacinone, 87, 50
Coumachlor, Not Detected, 20
Difethialone, 220, 50
Diphacinone, 960, 50
Warfarin, Not Detected, 20
Difenacoum, Not Detected, 20
Bromethalin, Adipose Tissue
Analyte Result (ppb) Rep. Limit (ppb)
Desmethylbromethalin, Trace, 1.0
Final Summary
Final Summary
The many lesions identified in this wild mountain lion on postmortem examination are consistent with the extensive clinical work up, history of recent and
previous trauma, and reported deteriorating condition. Supporting the diagnosis of recent trauma (hit by car 6 days prior to euthanasia) was the histologic
appearance of the right orbital fracture and gross evidence of hemorrhage in the adjacent frontal sinus and right eye. The suspected intraocular hemorrhage
was not present in the examined histologic section of this eye, however, which appeared within normal limits. An inflamed tract/wound along the right
mandible could also have been related to this traumatic event, though it could also have been more chronic. The diaphragmatic tears, through which
omentum and a portion of liver were herniated into the thoracic cavity, appeared to be of much longer duration with smooth margins, mature fibrous
adhesions, and chronic changes in the affected liver lobe. These were presumably the result of previous trauma, the exact timing of which cannot be
determined from the gross or histologic appearance. Although there was evidence of a degree of chronic vascular compromise to the herniated lobe, the
remaining majority of the liver was unaffected and relatively normal histologically.
A presumed major contributor to the deteriorating condition was skin disease. Heavy colonization of hair follicles with dermatophytes and Demodex sp.
mites was seen in all examined sections of skin (face, neck, hip, foot). These combined infections account for the poor condition of the hair coat and
probably some of the systemic inflammatory response evident in the bloodwork and histologically as myeloid hyperplasia and circulating neutrophilia. The
intrafollicular location of the Demodex mites is more consistent with D. cati or the third feline Demodex sp. as opposed to D. gatoi, which colonizes the
stratum corneum. Generalized D. cati infections suggest underlying immunosuppression or other disease. A Microsporum canis species was identified from
antemortem hair samples and is consistent with the fungal/dermatophyte lesions seen, which included both extensive hair colonization and rare microscopic
pseudomycetomas in skin, tonsil, and axillary lymph node. The latter finding is interesting evidence of lymphatic spread of the M. canis infection beyond the
skin, although the lesions were few and small.
Consistent with the advancing age of this animal, there were a variety of relatively mild, non-specific, age-related changes, including valvular endocardiosis,
arteriosclerosis, and renal disease. The renal changes seen primarily involved glomeruli and could be related to chronic inflammation (such as from the skin
disease) or cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension. Glomerular injury accounts for the reported proteinuria. Findings of undetermined cause and
significance included regional gastritis and a small pulmonary venous thrombus. The gastric inflammation involved the pylorus (or possibly the cardia) and
was neutrophilic and damaging to the glands, some of which contained Helicobacter-type spiral bacteria. No other parasites were seen in the stomach. A
specific cause was therefore not identified, but recent stress and Helicobacter could have been involved. In the small intestine, moderate numbers of
cestodes were probably incidental.
Toxicologic analysis of a liver sample for rodenticides (performed by CAHFS) found 5 anticoagulant rodenticides at varying concentrations as well as a trace
amount of bromethalin. Despite exposure to multiple compounds, two at relatively high levels (diphacinone and bromadiolone), there was no evidence of
abnormal hemorrhage that would suggest a coagulopathy due to toxicosis. Bromethalin does not typically result in histologic lesions, but no clinical
(neurologic) signs of bromethalin toxicosis were reported antemortem.
I support humane legal petting zoos and farm sanctuaries because it exposes people to farm animals in a caring pet like manner. When children see and pet farm animals they are more likely to care about them and their welfare. If they pet them like they do a cat or dog, they will grow up caring more about them. They may even put two and two together and realize hamburgers, hotdogs are cows and pigs. Chicken is a real live chicken. Eggs come out of chickens. Milk comes out of cows. Eventually they may not want to eat them which is better for their health, environment and the animals.
I went to a petting zoo when I was maybe five or six. I pet chickens, cows, pigs and had a great time. Then I went to lunch with my Nana. When we were ordering food it finally clicked. Chicken on the menu was the cute live chicken I just pet at the petting zoo. I asked my Nana if "chicken" was actually the animal chicken. She said "yes." She also told me that hamburgers were cows and hotdogs were pigs. I was soooooo grossed out. I said I didn't want to eat my friends. She was fine with that so I ate rice and beans which is what we ate at home. Eventually I learned about eggs and didn't want those either. Same with milk.
I also support humane and legal farm sanctuaries. The thing about farm sanctuaries is you are basically preaching to the choir unless it's a school field trip. People who go to farm sanctuaries are generally already vegan. You aren't necessarily educating non-vegans who most need the exposure and education. Petting zoos are at fairs, events, road sides, farmers markets where families have easy access. They're generally also free. You just pay for animal feed. Most farm sanctuaries are on agriculturally zoned land far out of cities and towns. I personally think a farm sanctuary should offer petting zoos to some major county fairs. They'd get more exposure and more animals can be saved or at least treated better.
When children are with animals including farm animals they learn respect, compassion and empathy for animals. If they pet or brush them, they learn to care for and about them. Children experience sensory development, motor skills development, language development and learn social skills. There is a lot of research which shows the benefits of animals for children. All of these benefits also benefit animals because children end up caring more about them.
I don't support illegal inhumane unpermitted petting zoos. You need a USDA exhibit permit for a petting zoo. You also need a city and county permit from animal control. There are regulations no matter what lies an ill informed activist tells you. There are USDA and other animal regulations that cover petting zoo and animals. They are covered by federal, state and local animal abuse, neglect, and cruelty statutes.
Petting zoo animals are not for consumption. They are not food animals because they most likely have received medications over their life span. They will also be injected with euthanasia drugs when they are dying which makes it illegal to use them for food. Animals must be cared for legally and properly. I want children and others to see healthy farm animals who are well cared for and treated. I want people to realize they are living, breathing, sentient beings and not just fried chicken, hamburgers and hotdogs.
A humane petting zoo or farm sanctuary limits the number of children in the pen at one time. They also limit the time each animal is in the pen. Some animals love being pet and some don't. Clearly they should only use animals that enjoy it. That's why there are mainly goats and sheep. Bunnies are too sensitive and shouldn't be in petting zoos. Chickens could be in another pen with more protection. There must be sun protection and protection from heat, cold, rain, weather. There must be adequate food and water available.
There should be proper hand washing stations and instructions so zoonotic diseases aren't spread. That is the law which is generally enforced by the State Agricultural Department and County Health Departments. If the zoo is at a fair, there are other regulations. If it's in a farmer's market, there are even more regulations. If they sell food in the area, there are even more regulations. There are generally a few people inside the pen to enforce all the regulations.
Petting zoos have their own regulations such as no picking up animals, no chasing, no pulling, no hitting, no riding, no running, no screaming... Parents must be in there with their children. Children under certain ages aren't allowed for health reasons. No food or drink in the pen except the animal feed. No smoking, toys, pacifiers, strollers, baby bottles, weapons, alcohol... No touching the animals food or water. The zookeepers don't want their animals stressed or harmed. It's their business and they generally really care about their animal if it's a humane zoo.
